The Vancouver North Pole Express combines two things that evoke nostalgia and memories: trains and the holidays. In true Polar Express style, families are invited aboard a train at the VIA Rail Station (Pacific Central Station at 1150 Station St) to enjoy some hot chocolates and a half-hour Christmas Magic Show by Matthew Johnson. Upon disembarking they will receive a souvenir ticket to Believe in the magic of the season.
Starting December 6th, showtimes are Thursdays between 4:00pm and 7:30pm, Saturdays between 10:00am and 7:00pm, and Sundays between 10:00am and 7:30pm until December 23rd. Tickets are available online now for $15 (adults) and $7.50 (children) plus service fees. Group tickets are available for $33 (for 3 people) and $60 (for 6 people). Check the event ticketing website for exact times and fees.
The event is a fundraiser for the National Railroad Historical Society of BC which is a non-profit organization that is restoring 1930’s passenger cars — like the restored rail car where the show will take place. Follow the society on Facebook for more information.
The Goh Ballet’s Nutcracker will be dazzling audiences of all ages in Vancouver this Christmas, set to Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score performed by members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra.
Photo courtesy of the Goh Ballet.
Experience Clara’s dream come to life as she embarks on a magical journey through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets where she is greeted by the enchanting Sugar Plum Fairy. An unforgettable adventure awaits as her gallant Nutcracker battles the evil Mouse King and his army of mischievous mice. This heart-warming production is sure to delight audiences of all ages with more than 200 glittering costumes, dramatic sets and valuable lessons.
Performances will take place at The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts (777 Homer St) December 19th to December 22nd, 2012 at 7:30pm, and December 22nd and December 23rd, 2012 at 2:00pm. Tickets are on sale now for $30 to $95.
The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is offering up Nutcracker package deals and you can enter the Nutcracker Raffle to support community arts and the Goh Ballet.
Photo courtesy of the Goh Ballet.
Last year I took my niece to the ballet for the first time. Gathering under the marquee with tickets in hand, cheeks rosy red from the cold and coats buttoned to our chins, we entered the theatre with a sense of wonder. By the end of the first act we were both enchanted by the performance. If you would like to experience this magical holiday show for yourself, I have a pair of tickets to give away. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
- Re-Pin this pin on Pinterest (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012. Prize tickets are for opening night, December 19, 2012. Follow the performance on Twitter and Facebook for information about the Goh Ballet’s Nutcracker this year.
The Goh Ballet Youth Company was established in 1979, by Principal Dancers of The National Ballet of China, Choo Chiat and Lin Yee Goh. Its objective is the pursuit of technical and artistic excellence in conjunction with raising cultural awareness in the community. This performing group reflects Vancouver’s cultural diversity. It serves as a magnet to attract talented dancers locally and abroad, and helps to ease the transition from student to professional dancer.
Update The winner is Hillary!
Covering 55 acres, VanDusen Botanical Garden is a year-round destination for those looking for a peaceful stroll or natural photo opportunities, attending fundraising events, taking in the beauty of spring and summer foliage or the colours of fall, and especially basking in the glow of thousands of twinkling lights during the annual Festival of Lights.
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden at 37th Ave and Oak St in Vancouver
When: December 7, 2012 to January 1, 2013 from 4:30pm to 9:00pm (closed Christmas Day)
Favourites each year include Community Choir Concerts, the Dancing Lights on Livingstone Lake. Every half hour on the half hour, the show bursts to life with thousands of lights. Kids also love meeting Santa in his loving room (December 7th to 24th) and spotting the jolly Scandinavian Christmas Gnomes. There’s also the Make-A-Wish Candle Grotto and the Make-A-Wish’s Room of Joy, located in the Visitor Centre along with a display from the Vancouver Lego Club.
Truffles Café inside the Visitor Centre will be serving up treats along with three satellite locations around the garden, Dr. Waffle, and the Shaughnessy Restaurant.
Tickets are currently on sale through Tickets Tonight online, by calling (604) 684-2787, or stopping by the service desk at the Visitor Centre. Tickets are also available at the gate every evening. Prices are adult (19-65): $14.25; senior (65+): $10.50; youth (13-18): $10.50; child (3-12): $7.75; children under age 3 are free. Family passes (2 adults + 2 children age 18 and under) are $32.50.
Follow VanDusen Garden on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates and information about the Festival of Lights.
It’s been just over a year since the renovated and refurbished BC Place was unveiled. Aside from an entirely new roof, new seats, and seismic upgrades, the 36-foot tall Northern Lights Display was added in a ring around the stadium.
Made up of 170 ETFE panels, stacked 4 rows heigh, and spanning 6,800 linear feet, the display uses LED lights to display a customizable pattern or colour. It’s been orange for Halloween, pink for breast cancer awareness, poppy red for Remembrance Day, and most recently it flew the colours of the Union Jack in honor of Sir Paul McCartney’s concert last weekend.
I have decided to post a themed installment of the “From the Miss604 Flickr Pool” photo series to showcase the colours of BC Place.
Find out what’s happening at BC Place by following along on Twitter and Facebook. Feel free to add your own images to the Miss604 Flickr Pool for possible feature.
Parksville Uncorked returns in February as the Beach Club Resort and the award-winning Tigh-Na-Mara Resort and Spa host beer and wine pairing events.
Located just north of Nanaimo, Parksville is s sunny seaside community that celebrates the best of BC ingredients and spirits with Uncorked, now in its 5th year. Tickets are currently available for the following events:
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Parksville Untapped ($49)
Featuring craft beer from around BC
at Tigh-Na-Mara from 6:30pm to 9:00pm
Friday, February 22, 2013
Swirl Signature Event ($69)
Featuring BC wines and bites from local chefs
at Beach Club Resort from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Winemaker’s Dinner: Burrowing Owl ($149)
at Beach Club Resort from 6:30pm to 9:00pm
Winemaker’s Dinner: Road 13 ($129)
With a menu by Executive Chef Eric Edwards
at Tigh-Na-Mara from 6:30pm to 9:00pm
Sunday, February 24, 2013 ($29.95)
Bubbles and Brunch
at Tigh-Na-Mara from 9:00am to 2:00pm
John and I stayed at Tigh-Na-Mara last year for the festivities and what happened to be our anniversary weekend as well. The resort went out of their way to welcome us and help us celebrate while we took in events for Parksville Uncorked.
The Burrowing Owl Winemaker’s dinner in the Cedar Room was decadent, with numerous pairings, samples, and courses. Sitting at a table with other media, there were great dinner discussions and the room was hopping with spirited conversation. The best part about having the event at the resort was that we could walk out the door and over to our lodge to retire for the night. Complete with a big soaker tub and a fireplace, our room was perched above sandy beaches and flanked by twisting arbutus trees. It felt like summer camp… for adults.
Parksville is a fantastic coastal getaway at any time of year so visiting for Uncorked and its many events are the perfect time to plan that visit. Call 1-855-254-WINE to book your Parksville Uncorked experience and check out stay packages offered by Tigh-Na-Mara and the Beach Club Resort.
